When the Bridegroom Comes in Glory: A Journey Through the Divine Betrothal
In ancient Jewish tradition, once the betrothal was sealed and the groom had departed to prepare a place for his bride in his father’s house, the timing of the wedding day itself was no longer in the groom’s hands—it was determined by the father. Only when the father judged that all was ready would he give the signal. Then, often in the middle of the night, the groom would return suddenly, unannounced, accompanied by a joyful procession, with the sound of a trumpet or shofar piercing the stillness. The bride, who had waited with lamp trimmed and heart ready, would rise to meet him, and together they would enter the prepared place for the wedding feast.
So it is with Christ and His Bride.
Jesus said, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32). His return will be sudden, unmistakable, and glorious. With a trumpet blast and a voice of command, the Groom will appear—and the long-awaited union will be consummated in splendor.
It is this final and glorious moment—the culmination of redemptive history, the fulfillment of ancient promise—that this third and final article now explores: the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
The Bridegroom Returns
The long-awaited day finally arrives. The Bridegroom who had promised, "I go to prepare a place for you... and I will come again" (John 14:2–3), now breaks through the veil of history to fulfill His word. Heaven erupts in celebration:
"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready." — Revelation 19:6–7
This is not merely a poetic image—it is the consummation of the ages. The One who chose us, paid the bride price, and betrothed us by His Spirit now returns in glory to claim His Bride.
Resurrection and Glory: The Hope of 1 Corinthians 15
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul confronts a church wrestling with doubt about resurrection. His defense is bold:
"If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins... But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep." (vv. 17, 20)
Our hope does not rest in this life alone. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation and the guarantee of ours. He is the firstfruits—the assurance that the rest of the harvest is coming. When He returns, the dead in Christ shall rise, and we who are alive shall be changed (1 Thess. 4:16–17).
Paul reaches a crescendo in verse 50 and onward:
"Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God... We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed... the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality."
This is the great unveiling—not just of Christ, but of us with Him. The victory cry sounds:
"Death is swallowed up in victory... thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (vv. 54–57)
The Final Transformation: When the Bride Is Revealed in Full Splendor
The waiting Bride is no longer hidden. She is radiant.
"Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is." — 1 John 3:2
We shall be like Him. Not just legally righteous, but visibly glorious. The robe of righteousness given in betrothal is now seen in full splendor:
"It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." — Revelation 19:8
What was sown in weakness is raised in power. What was dishonored is raised in glory. (1 Cor. 15:42–43) The sanctifying work of the Spirit is complete. The Bride is spotless, holy, blameless—prepared for eternal union.
The New Heaven and the New Earth: A Greater Beginning
John sees it:
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth... And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." — Revelation 21:1–2
This is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of something so magnificent that all past sufferings are swallowed in joy. No more death. No more mourning. No more pain. The old has passed away. The former things are gone.
He who sits on the throne says:
"Behold, I am making all things new... It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end." (vv. 5–6)
The Bride and the Groom dwell together in the house of the Father—forever.
The Consummation of the Covenant: Everlasting Joy
The betrothal was a promise. The waiting was preparation. Now comes consummation.
In ancient Jewish weddings, the groom would take the bride to his father's house, and the celebration would begin—days of feasting and joy.
Likewise, the wedding supper of the Lamb is not merely symbolic. It is the eternal reality where the people of God enter into full union with their Savior. Every promise made is now fulfilled:
"Now the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God." — Revelation 21:3
This is not just divine proximity—it is perfect intimacy. We shall see His face (Rev. 22:4). We shall dwell with Him, reign with Him, rejoice with Him.
Worship and Celebration: A Sound Like Many Waters
Heaven resounds:
"Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters... crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.’" — Revelation 19:6
The end of history is not silence. It is song.
This great union ends not in tension but in triumph. Every prayer, every groan, every waiting breath culminates in joy unspeakable. The Spirit-led worship that began in time finds its full expression in eternity.
This is our future.
"The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!'" (Rev. 22:17)
And to the Lamb be all blessing and honor and glory.
Conclusion: The Faithful Bride and the Faithful Groom
We have walked the journey: from election, to betrothal, to the waiting, to the final union.
He has been faithful to His Word. The Bride has made herself ready.
The marriage supper is the fulfillment of all longing, the revelation of all glory, the beginning of all joy. But for now, we wait. Not in despair, but in delight. Not as those unsure, but as those certain.
The Groom is coming.